Fender guitars are one of the best in the market. While they have amazing music features and durable build, it’s important to focus on the appearance because which color is used can impact the overall aesthetics of the guitar.
Daphne blue and sonic blue are two common colors used by Fender on its double-cut Stratocasters. These colors are suitable for guitarists who like subtle and soft colors for their guitars, and both these colors have different characteristics that you must know.
Daphne Blue vs Sonic Blue Comparison
| Daphne Blue | Sonic Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Color composition | 76.47% blue, 59.61% red, and 77.65% green | 89.02% blue, 85.1% red, and 89.8% green |
| Origin | 1960 | 1956 |
| Wood | Basswood and maple wood | Dark-colored wood or rosewood |
| Applications | Funk and blues guitar players | Pop music, country, folk, and R&B music |
Daphne Blue
Daphne blue is one of the best shades of blue and has a medium-light hue of cyan color. It has a lighter shade, which complements the brown shades of guitar wood. This color is composed of 76.47% blue, 59.61% red, and 77.65% green.
While Fender has used it on double-cut Stratocasters, it can be used on other guitars, irrespective of the genre you play. This color is also suitable as it looks good in video-based songs because the color pops out.
Usually, Daphne blue appears a bit late, but it does not absorb light. It can reflect the light, resulting in a softer appearance.
However, this is a light color, which means you have to take care of the guitar that has this color because it’s susceptible to stains, scratches, and dust, which will be extremely visible.
This color is a light sky blue and leans more on the turquoise side, which is why it appears pastel yet saturated. Daphne blue is based on Gibson and Fender colors.
1. Origin & Use
Fender has used this color by taking inspiration from the 50s and 60s. In addition, you can purchase the Daphne blue spray colors to redo the guitar’s finish – the sprays are available in matte as well as gloss form.
This color is suitable for guitars made from medium-pore wood, which makes it suitable for the majority of electric guitars. If you redo the guitar’s finish, you should apply two to three thin layers by keeping a distance of 20cm. However, make sure the room has low humidity when you apply the finish.
Daphne blue should be applied after using the primer and sanding to create a uniform surface. Overall, it is a cheerful and bright light blue shade and is a lighter shade of turquoise.
With Fender double-cut Stratocasters, the company has used rosewood on the fingerboard, maple wood on the neck, and basswood on the body, which means it can be used on these types of wood. Fender started using Daphne blue in 1960 but only stayed till 1965.
However, the color can be found again on Fender guitars. This is a more saturated version of blue as compared to sonic blue, so it doesn’t appear pale. However, it’s still light as compared to the regular blue color.
Sonic Blue
Sonic blue is a lighter shade of blue as compared to Daphne blue. Similarly, this is an extremely lightweight shade of cyan. This is why it often looks like white color with slight hints of green and blue color, which creates a rich and solid look.
Sonic blue is a composition of 89.02% blue, 85.1% red, and 89.8% green color.
However, you need to be extra careful about the maintenance because this light color is prone to scratches and stains. In addition, it’s important to wipe it clean because it can quickly accumulate dust.
If you are using the Fender guitar with a sonic blue finish, cleaning it will be easier since the finish is extremely smooth, as you can use a damp cloth or tissue to clean the stains and dust.
1. Origin & Use
In case you use the sonic blue spray for refinishing the guitar’s surface, the sprays dry pretty quickly. The color blends well with light background shades. Also, the guitars finished with sonic blue color are usually UV-resistant, including Fender Stratocaster, because it reflects the light.
In addition, it prevents the overheating of your guitar’s circuits. Fender started using this color on guitars after 1956 Cadillacs were launched.
This color has a very significant pale twist and has a slight green hint, but it’s less green when compared to Daphne blue’s green color. In addition, it has a mild hint of light purple color.
Overall, it appears white when used under strong lights. Given this color, it is suitable for guitars intended for country and folk music. In addition, it can be used for guitars on which you have to play blues and hard rock metal.
Which Is The Right Color?
Technically speaking, both Daphne blue and sonic blue have the pastel blue finish but have nuanced differences. Sonic blue is a light and pale shade, which makes it a suitable choice for people who like pastel colors, and it goes well with pop music and R&B music.
On the other hand, Daphne blue looks more saturated – it is still pale and light but less than sonic blue.
Daphne blue is the classic 1950s blue shade, so it’s suitable for funk and blues guitar players. Sonic blue color pairs well with dark-colored or rosewood fretboards, while Daphne blue looks good with basswood and maple wood.
As far as the cleaning is concerned, both of them are susceptible to stains and dust but can be easily cleaned.